Simon Barry

Professor Simon C. Barry is a University Professorial Research Fellow at the University of Adelaide's School of Biomedicine within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. His research focuses on molecular immunology, particularly the transcription factor FOXP3 and its role in regulatory T cell (Treg) function. He leads a grant-funded research group at the Robinson Research Institute, comprising 5 staff and 3 students, working on projects related to autoimmune diseases, cancer immunotherapy, and reproductive immunology.

His translational research includes developing novel biomarkers for Tregs and commercializing cell therapy technologies through patents and collaborations with companies like BD and Amgen. He co-founded Carina Biotech to advance Treg and CAR-T cell therapies. Barry's work bridges basic science and clinical applications, with a strong emphasis on gene discovery, functional validation, and clinical translation.

Key areas of research include Treg biology, FOXP3 target genes (e.g., SATB1), microRNA regulation in immunity, and the role of regulatory T cells in type 1 diabetes and pregnancy complications. He has secured NHMRC grants and led projects in major CRC initiatives, including the CRC for Cell Therapy Manufacturing. His research also explores gut microbiome dynamics in autoimmune diseases and the immune responses to vaccines in transplant recipients.

Barry's lab actively collaborates internationally, with contributions to understanding Treg plasticity, CAR-T cell engineering, and mechanistic links between environmental factors and autoimmunity. His work has led to innovations in cell therapy manufacturing and biomarker discovery, advancing both academic and commercial applications.